5 Affordable Things That Make Overlanding More Comfortable

Overlanding is one of the hottest things in outdoor adventure. If you are not familiar with it, overlanding is like RVing on steroids. The point is not the destination, but the journey. And with the right rig, the journey can take you just about anywhere.

Get yourself hooked up with an overlanding community and you’ll discover just how easy it is to spend a small fortune on equipment and supplies. Forget the truck or van that carries you on your trips. Everything else is expensive enough. The good news is that it is entirely possible the overland on a budget.

To illustrate the point, here are five things that can make overlanding more comfortable without putting a huge dent in your finances:

1. A Good Travel Pillow

Overlanders still expect to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, you never know where you’re going to end up at the end of the day. It is always a good idea to bring comfortable bedding, and that includes a good pillow.

Travel pillows are so designated because they are inflatable. They are easier to travel with because they take up less of your precious cargo space. Best of all, you can get a really good pillow for under $40.

2. A Set of Cam Straps

Overlanders normally use cam straps to secure their cargo during travel. According to the folks behind the Rollercam brand, cam straps have a ton more applications. They can be utilized to perform all sorts of functions that would normally be left to rope and bungee cords. Best of all, they are actually quite affordable.

3. A Set of Dry Sacks

If your overlanding involves any kind of activities on the water – like kayaking or whitewater rafting – one of the best pieces of kit you could invest in is a set of dry sacks. Dry sacks are essentially waterproof cargo bags. You load them with gear and cinch them up. Even if the bags fall in the water, whatever is contained inside stays dry.

Actually, dry sacks are pretty good to have around even if you don’t spend time on the water. Overlanders still get rained on. If they go out during the winter, they still need to deal with snow. Dry sacks are just a good idea all the way around.

4. A USB Headlamp

Trying to set up camp in the dark can be a hassle, especially if you are trying to work with one hand while holding a flashlight in another. Make your life easier by investing in a USB headlamp. You can get a pretty good one for just about $25.

A USB headlamp hangs on your head with an elastic strap. It is recharged using any standard USB outlet. If you get one that utilizes lithium-ion batteries, you will be able to charge it in about an hour or so. Avoid headlamps that utilize disposable batteries. Why? Because then you always have to carry extra batteries with you.

5. A Backpacking Stove

Last on the list is a backpacking stove. It is ideal for overlanders who want the convenience of a stove but don’t want to carry a full, multi-burner unit with them. A backpacking stove is small, compact, and lightweight. A good one can be had for $50 or less.

It is possible to spend a small fortune equipping your overlanding rig with all the gear you need to be comfortable. But you can equip your rig on a budget if you’re willing to think things through, take your time, and shop around. You don’t have to work yourself into the poor house just to enjoy overlanding.

Infographic created by Water My Battery, State-of-the-Art Golf Cart Battery Water System

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